Time for a touch of Futurity magic from the veteran

4 min read

Written by Paul Vettise

Paul Preusker knows time isn’t on his side with veteran Magic Consol (Consolidator) and on Saturday they make their pitch for inclusion in one of the richest games going around.

The Horsham trainer is hoping to win over Racing Victoria with his evergreen performer when the 9-year-old returns from a break in the G1 Yulong Futurity S. at Caulfield.

“He’s right on the mark and I’ve got to show my hand to try and get a wild card entry into the All-Star Mile,” Preusker said.

Magic Consul (left)

There are three spots remaining in the 14-horse line-up with 10 runners locked in by a public popularity vote and the three-time Group 1 winner Happy Clapper (Teofilo {Ire}) already handed his golden ticket into the inaugural running of the $5 million contest at Flemington on March 16.

“He’s right on the mark and I’ve got to show my hand to try and get a wildcard entry into the All-Star Mile.” – Paul Preusker.

Magic Consol was spelled after he won the Listed Winter Championship at Flemington in July and triumphantly returned in the spring for an upset victory in the G2 Dato Tan Chin Nam S. at Moonee Valley.

“He had about a week off after that and stayed in work without galloping,” Pruesker.

“We decided to put him out. He’d done his job and we wanted to look after him and then get him going for another preparation.”

An 800 metre trial win at Penola has served to have Magic Consol as well as he can be to resume in the Futurity.

“He’s super fit and it’s just the tempo that will make or break him,” Preusker said.

“He’s super fit and it’s just the tempo that will make or break him.” - Paul Preusker.

Jockey Jordan Childs with owners of Magic Consol following his upset victory in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes.

“If it’s a genuine tempo, he’s half a chance to get home over the top of them. If they walk in front and then dash home then he’s going to want it a bit further.”

Magic Consol is raced by his breeders Barbara Fenton and Peter Mcfarlane.

He is a son of Shally’s Magic (Shalford {Ire}) who was successful on six occasions and hails from the family of the Group 1 winners Full On Aces (Kaoury Star), Mnemosyne (Encosta de Lago), Impending (Lonhro) and Drawn (Star Shower).

Barrier no issue

Meanwhile, Kris Lees isn’t worried by the outside barrier for Le Romain (Hard Spun {USA}), who is also chasing an All-Star wild card through the Futurity S.

“He's not a horse that likes being cluttered up,” the Broadmeadows trainer said.

Le Romain

“He doesn't have a turn of foot and he likes to get rolling into his races. If he gets over into the right spot he's going to be able to get rolling when it suits.

“He's often won from ordinary draws so I'm not that concerned by it.”

“He's often won from ordinary draws so I'm not that concerned by it.” – Kris Lees.

Lees said Le Romain would normally start his autumn campaign a little later with an emphasis on Sydney. But the attraction of the All-Star Mile resulted in an earlier arrival back in the stable and the Futurity slotted into his programme well.

Brave Smash (Jpn) (Tosen Phantom {Jpn}) also runs for Lees with the horse defending the Futurity title he won last season for Darren Weir.

Lees said the 6-year-old had drawn ideally for him in gate two.

“Most importantly for him he's got a soft draw and will get cover, which is very important for his style of racing," Lees said.

Alizee (Sepoy), who is unbeaten in two starts this preparation, is the Futurity favourite and she has already booked her All-Star Mile spot as one of the top vote getters in the public poll to choose 10 of the 14 starters in the field.